Family, Tennis and Competition

For years, Karen Simeone’s passion for tennis has been obvious. A chance to play with her daughter only added to that.

Karen and her daughter, Lauren, who reside in the Philadelphia suburbs, participated in the 2012 National Family Tennis Championships last year, advancing through the local tournament and then all the way into the finals in Naples, Fla.

What started as a fun idea ended as an unforgettable experience.

“I had always wanted to do a mother-daughter or a mother-son tournament,” said Karen, who plays out of Frog Hollow Racquet Club in Lansdale. “Playing with Lauren was a great time. It was fun playing locally, and then making it down to nationals was incredible. Everything was top-notch, and how many times do you get a chance to do something with your teenage daughter and share a common goal?”

This year, the 2013 National Family Tennis Championships are taking things up a notch by increasing host sites and bringing the finals to New York City Aug. 23-26.

Tennis facilities have until March 22, 2013 to register as a host site and must conduct their local tournaments by June 30, for up to six divisions of play including; Husband/Wife, Brother/Sister, Father/Son, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son and Mother/Daughter. Host sites are encouraged to offer at least three of the six divisions. Players of all levels compete in the same division with the only limitations being a son or daughter must be under the age of 18, and a father or mother is required to be the minor’s legal guardian.

Currently, events in Middle States include tournaments at Frog Hollow on May 18-19, as well as several events in New Jersey and in Mechanicsburg, Pa. A map of the four regions is available at www.familytennis.com.

Each local host site receives a free tournament kit with everything they need to promote and run the event including counter cards, promotional posters, NFTC banners, player premiums, tennis balls, and winner and runner-up awards for each division. In addition, hosts receive $10 from every team entry fee and the chance for their winners to advance to one of four Super Regional Playoffs.

“This is about playing with a family member and competing at a truly national level,” said Kathleen Francis, a representative of the 2013 National Family Tennis Championships “And for the facilities involved, it’s a unique and special national event to draw more players in.”

Karen, who also has a 14-year-old son, said she’d love the chance to compete in more tournaments in the future with her daughter and son.

“Hey, if you can’t beat them, join them,” she joked.

“It’s exciting,” she added. “Having that time with my daughter, strategizing on the court and sharing a final goal was a wonderful experience.”

More info on the National Family Tennis Championships can be found at www.familytennis.com or by emailing info@familytennis.com.